Lake Waccamaw Police and Fire had an Independence Day weekend to remember, according to both chiefs.
“There were no crimes reported for that weekend,” Police Chief Scott Hyatt told the board Tuesday.
“Some things that we are very proud of that happened over the weekend were zero traffic accidents. There were zero pedestrians struck by vehicles, and there were zero alcohol-related injuries.”
The fire department had one call, Chief Barney Tyler said, and the Boot Drop fundraiser collected $3,460.
In other business Tuesday, the Lake Waccamaw Town Commissioners heard a report from Mayor Daniel Hilburn about the town’s 110-year anniversary, which is this year. To commemorate the milestone, the board decided to partner with the Lake Waccamaw Train Depot Museum to produce and sell t-shirts.
Angela Norris of the Veterans Park of America also addressed the board Tuesday. Park volunteers are organizing a Sept. 11 anniversary observance that will be hosted by the town at Elizabeth Brinkley Park. Norris said the event which will include a 5K and the “Freedom Isn’t Free” motorcycle run. Registration for the event will take place on Sept. 11 from 8 -8:45 a.m.
Among the activities at the park will be a Kids’ Corner that includes a rock painting session entitled Freedom Rocks and other activities for youngsters.
A parade honoring first responders and the military will be held at 1 p.m. The event will end with a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m.
Proceeds will go to the construction of a 9/11 monument for the Never Forget Memorial Garden at the Veterans Park south of Whiteville.
Norris said that she hopes that Lake Waccamaw will consider hosting the event every year. Commissioners voted to waive the parade fee for the Sept. 11 event.
“I think Lake Waccamaw is more centrally located in the county, and this is the ideal place for this event,” Hilburn said. He went on to discuss the hope of the development of the 27 acres recently donated to Brinkley Park, and encouraged the public to get out and enjoy all park.
Town Manager Damon Kempski reported that all expenditures were in normal parameters, and despite a software glitch when the reports were printed, “everything is okay.”
The Town Council voted to recess the meeting until July 28 to discuss a pay study for the town. The meeting will be at 9 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Home Chapel Reception Hall.
The board also thanked Sarah Coffman for “all her hard work and stepping in” when Gordon Hargrove left as town manager last year. A motion was made to give Coffman a $500 bonus, but the board concluded that she deserved more.
“Five hundred dollars would just be an extra fifty cents on the hour,” Commissioner Terry Littrell said. “She is valued more than that amount.”
